Originally Posted by: Slipin LizardYep, but don't ever let that get in the way of experimenting or just forging ahead with some cool sounds even though you don't understand the theory behind it. Not knowing the theoretical basis behind everything you play does not inhibit you from creating great music, no more than knowing the theory behind what you play guarantee that you will create great music. Some players just have a really good ear, and that's all they need. Other's delve deeper into understanding what it is that they are playing. Whatever keeps you on the path of your music goals.

Agreed and really what I had always done. I am a noodler and experimenter by nature and would just muck about with different finger placements to 'see what would happen'. That will probably never change.

I think why I'm finding my lack of chord theory a hinderance now is that I am learning mandolin and piano/keyboard and using those as part of my writing. Much more instrument integration in my noggin these days and now I'm finding it would be nice to understand a little more chord structure stuff.

Though, even with those instruments, I do experiment until it sounds right so who knows...I might be totally full of it ;)